Eagle editorial: Sharing in Koch’s success

Koch Industries’ plan to expand its headquarters is great news for Wichita and the local economy.

The company announced Thursday that it would construct a new 210,000-square-foot office building at its campus on 37th Street North. The three-story building will accommodate 745 employees.

Koch has been a bright light in a struggling local economy. It employs more than 2,800 people in Wichita (and about 60,000 worldwide) and has outgrown its current 1 million square feet of office buildings.

Koch is working with the city of Wichita on the project, which also will involve rerouting 37th Street North about one-quarter mile. Koch will pay for the cost of that roadwork.

Wichita has been trying to diversify its economy so that it is a bit less vulnerable to the ups and downs of the aviation industry. Koch – which owns companies involved in refining, chemicals, biofuels, minerals, fertilizers, polymers and fibers, commodity trading, consumer products and ranching – is a key part of that effort.

Congratulations to Koch on its growth and expansion. Its success is also Wichita’s success.

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